On July 23, 1999, a Cessna T210F (registration N6726R) operated by George A. Harrison was involved in an aviation accident near Albuquerque, NM. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadvertent wheels up landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
After a propeller strike during landing, a fire was detected; the pilot and passenger evacuated. The aircraft was consumed by fire. Investigation revealed landing gear handle up, and fireworks and cigars in the aft cabin; fire source undetermined.
Accident Sequence
During landing, the propeller struck the asphalt runway. The pilot detected a fire and he and his passenger exited the aircraft from the right side. The airplane was subsequently consumed by fire.
Postaccident Examination
After fire and rescue personnel extinguished the fire, an FAA inspector and fire and rescue investigators performed a postaccident examination of the aircraft. The landing gear handle was found in the UP position, and each landing gear door was also in the UP position. Inside the aft cabin section, fireworks and several cigars were found. The majority of the fire damage was concentrated on the right side of the aircraft.
Fire Origin
According to the FAA inspector, the fire appeared to have started aft of the firewall. Due to the extensive fire damage, the exact source of the fire could not be determined. Investigators were also unable to determine whether the fire was initiated prior to or subsequent to the aircraft's landing.